Reporting and performance data

This section summarises our Responsibility and Sustainability approach, the GRI index, the social and environmental performance data and the EY assurance report.

Airbus approach to Responsibility and Sustainability

Environmental and social performance

At Airbus, corporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to how we are aligning the Company with the needs and expectations of society. Airbus aims to balance its strategy for growth with fulfilling duties to all stakeholders and addressing material sustainability issues. Underlying this is a drive to deliver the best technology to serve mobility and security.

Stakeholders

Airbus’ businesses are characterised by long product lifecycles and corresponding returns on investments, considerable costs and risks in programme development, and cyclical civilian markets. The principal stakeholders are shareholders, customers, regulators, policymakers, employees, suppliers, NGOs, as well as society at large..

Materiality

Airbus focuses on material issues that have significant operational and strategic impacts, potentially affecting Airbus’ risks and performance. Airbus is taking into account stakeholders’ and analysts’ questions about the materiality of CSR issues.

Data and Performance

A signatory to the United Nations Global Compact since 2003, Airbus is committed to the UN Global Compact principles and has reached the “Advanced Level”(1). Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting is embedded across the Group, measuring performance and progress. Environmental and social data have been externally audited since 2010. Below is a selection (2) of externally reviewed environmental indicators. For a selection of social performance indicators, see “— 1.1.10 E mployees”.

Guidelines and related actions

GRI Index and Global Compact correspondence

The following Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) index indicates to what extent we take the GRI indicators into account. At the same time, it shows where in the website the indicators are dealt with. For some indicators, we also refer to the Annual Report (registration document) of Airbus.

This table follows the GRI Standards Guidelines, meeting the ‘core’ in accordance option. All following aspects are material for Airbus and for its stakeholders.

The following tables present the Airbus responsibility and sustainability aspects according to GRI principles.

* Data audited by Ernst & Young et Associés. 2017 data covers 89% of total Company employees. 2016 data correspond to the data validated by the external third party in 2016, without any recalculation to take into account perimeters movements, which can explain some of the observed variances.
** 2017 VOC emissions data is estimated. The consolidated 2017 data will only be available following publication of the Registration Document.
*** Number of sites covered by the environmental reporting which are certified ISO 14001. Only 100% consolidated entities are taken into account. The data here results from Airbus’ worldwide reporting campaign, carried out by the Environmental network. Airbus environmental reporting includes all 100% consolidated companies with more than 50 employees, which represent 99% of Airbus’ total workforce. Among these companies, 90% had reporting contributors and tools. Note that some entities with less than 50 employees are taken into account in the reporting, as they are included in bigger entities which report their environmental data.

Environmental reporting protocol

Reporting tools

Indicators used are derived from Global Reporting Initiative guidelines. Data is collected through an Environmental Management Information system called ERT. The guidelines supporting the reporting process are updated when relevant.

This year, a new process and a new reporting tool have been set up to ease data collection and consolidation, and to enable the publication of accurate and reliable externally verified environmental data in the Group’s Annual report and Registration Document.

External verification

As part of our commitment to providing reliable information on our performance, we have asked EY to review the reporting procedures and data for a selection of key environmental performance indicators published in this report. The nature of the work performed, the audited indicators and the results of the verification are presented on the external auditor’s assurance report.

This year, a new process and a new reporting tool have been set up to ease data collection and consolidation, leading to a verification period on sites early December 2017 instead of early February 2018, as it would have been done with the former process.

Read Independent Assurance report elaborated by EY.

Details and methodology

Energy consumption

The energy consumption of a site is the combination of fossil energy and electricity, expressed in Mega Watt hours. Electricity generated from CHP (Combined Heat Power plant) on site for own use is reported separately, as the primary energy used for its production is natural gas which is already reported in the fossil energy consumption detailed above. The energy consumption due to Beluga flights is reported in a separate indicator and automatically added to the total energy consumption from sites.

CO2eq emissions

The CO2eq emissions result from direct (scope 1) and indirect (scope 2) emissions according to the definition provided by the GHG Protocol. They relate directly to energy consumption by the following formula: CO2eq emissions = Energy consumption x Emission factor.

Total water consumption

This indicator is the sum of all water drawn into the boundaries of the reporting site from all sources (including surface, ground, rain and purchased water). It includes water for industrial installations, offices, catering facilities, buildings, etc. It is expressed in m3/year.

Water discharges

This indicator is the sum of water effluents (expressed in m3/year) discharged over the course of the reporting period to subsurface waters, surface waters, sewers that lead to rivers, oceans, lakes, wetlands, treatment facilities, and ground water. A specific indicator to report water discharged via an internal pre-treatment plant is also published with the other environmental indicators.

Waste production

The quantity of waste of a site combines hazardous and non-hazardous waste. This includes in particular all waste regularly created by production processes, and treated internally and externally. Note that exceptional waste, meaning all construction/deconstruction waste from buildings and installations, are reported separately.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

The main VOC emissions sources of Airbus Group’s activities derive from surface treatment, cleaning, painting and coating operations through use of solvents, solvated paints and coatings, additional VOC. The 2016 data is not yet published.

NOx and SOx

The emissions are calculated automatically within the ERT if no measure is done on site, with help of the energy consumption reported and the relevant emission factors. NOx and SOx emissions from mobile sources are excluded.

Social Performance

2017 Social Performance data table

The data here shows how Airbus is working to reinforce employee engagement, diversity and integration throughout the company.

* Change of reporting in 2017, no numbers reported for 2017.
** New reporting scope since 2017. 51.7% digital learning in the 2017 learning plan (Active Workforce from fully-consolidated entities at 31 December 2017).
*** These figures include training sessions provided by Airbus, including to externals, to employees in subsidiaries, and to employees that have since left the Group.

Independent Assurance Report

Ernst & Young Report

Ernst & Young has reviewed a selection of Airbus' environmental and social performance indicators.